Humans have interesting ways of dictating what is the best way to carry out decisions in various circumstances of life. Some ambitions root from selflessness, while some people think about how something can benefit themselves only. In Shakespeare's "Sonnet 73," similar ideas are present in metaphorical expressions that revolve around being consumed by what defines someone. The image of the tree being "Consum'd with that which it was nourish'd by" can symbolize the mental conflicts that impress certain behaviors, whether they are favorable or harmful (line 8). In Serena, Ron Rash constructs a complex scenario involving characters who wrestle with the same ideas found in "Sonnet 73;" consumed with a mentality that eventually leads to mental or
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His confidence and masculinity make him quite admirable to the workers, but Serena’s poise is what boosts his reputable persona. It’s clear that Pemberton is proud to run the company with Serena because his partners and workers look up to her. They also admire her marketing strategies. Harris says that if he married Serena, he would be “richer than J.P. Morgan now” (239). However, Serena’s cleverness, intelligence, and beauty distract him from her insanity. When he is with her, “only the present [is] real” and “nothing is but what is [happening at the moment]” (205). As Pemberton witnesses Serena almost dying, he appreciates that his “blood [has] merged with [her]” (210). He understands that Serena is quick to end people’s lives, but he does not let that fact hinder his lover for her. When Serena finds out Pemberton is trying to help Rachel and Jacob, she betrays Pemberton’s emotions by slowly killing him. As Pemberton fights for survival, he hopes to not only “prove to Serena he [is] strong enough” and “worthy of her,” but to go back to how things were before (366-367). He wants to have a future with Serena and the timber company. However, just like in “Sonnet 73,” Pemberton ends on his “death-bed” as a result from the love he “was nourish’d by” (7-8). Even though Serena has betrayed him, his love for her has consumed him to the point where he waits for Serena’s “hand to embrace his” as his life withers away
His confidence and masculinity make him quite admirable to the workers, but Serena’s poise is what boosts his reputable persona. It’s clear that Pemberton is proud to run the company with Serena because his partners and workers look up to her. They also admire her marketing strategies. Harris says that if he married Serena, he would be “richer than J.P. Morgan now” (239). However, Serena’s cleverness, intelligence, and beauty distract him from her insanity. When he is with her, “only the present [is] real” and “nothing is but what is [happening at the moment]” (205). As Pemberton witnesses Serena almost dying, he appreciates that his “blood [has] merged with [her]” (210). He understands that Serena is quick to end people’s lives, but he does not let that fact hinder his lover for her. When Serena finds out Pemberton is trying to help Rachel and Jacob, she betrays Pemberton’s emotions by slowly killing him. As Pemberton fights for survival, he hopes to not only “prove to Serena he [is] strong enough” and “worthy of her,” but to go back to how things were before (366-367). He wants to have a future with Serena and the timber company. However, just like in “Sonnet 73,” Pemberton ends on his “death-bed” as a result from the love he “was nourish’d by” (7-8). Even though Serena has betrayed him, his love for her has consumed him to the point where he waits for Serena’s “hand to embrace his” as his life withers away